Published: Wednesday, August 7, 2013 at 1:00 a.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, August 7, 2013 at 12:45 a.m.

The large crowd wearing blue T-shirts, carrying inflatable dolphins and holding handmade signs reunited with new friends they have met in the fight against the Long Bar Pointe development.

At a table across the way in front of the Bradenton Area Convention Center were fewer people. They all picked up green hats and pins with a simple message, “yes.”

While those in the blue “Save Our Bay” shirts were happy to speak about the largest mixed-use development proposed in wake of the Great Recession, those with the green hats directed all questions to developers Carlos Beruff and Larry Lieberman.

By noon, people already were gathered and waiting for the doors to open. Manatee County's land-use meeting was set to begin at 1:30 p.m.

It quickly became evident that 700 chairs were not enough.

In the moments before the meeting began, more rows were set out. People who arrived too late for a seat, or offered theirs to someone else, lined the room's perimeter.

About 1,000 residents filled the auditorium to hear county staff and developers discuss the proposed project. One hundred had signed up for a chance to address the commission.

But before moving forward, Commission Chairman Larry Bustle commented on the turnout, calling it a “great indication of passion” in the community.

Silence enveloped the room as county staff presenting the amendment that would allow a mixed-use development were interrupted when Commissioner Robin DiSabatino began scrutinizing the application.

“Who will pay?” DiSabatino asked, should the development require related infrastructure changes.

Developers have not submitted a site plan.

DiSabatino said without more details, she could not support something so extensive.

The room erupted in applause, inflatable dolphins lifted into the air.

Bustle took a moment to ask attendees to wave silently should they support a statement.

As the county staff moved into its second hour of presenting, the crowd began to thin. Empty chairs dotted the audience.

After a brief recess, the developers called an attorney, an urban designer and several environmental experts to present their case. The crowd was still thin, but a few people trickled back in as the time for public comment approached.

A few heads shook in disagreement about what was being said. People whispered to their neighbors. The group of people with green hats, sitting behind the developers, waved several times in support.

Four hours into the meeting, Bustle announced it was time for public comment. By this time, 150 people were signed up. Individuals were given three minutes to speak. A person representing a group could speak for 10 minutes.

As a bell sounded to indicate time was up, people just kept talking. The time restraint was more of a suggestion to many — perhaps because the issue has become so emotional.

Politics were at play.

Fishermen believe their livelihoods are at stake. Young people want to show their children — when they have them — the natural beauty of Long Bar Pointe.

Other residents want to see a five-star hotel come to Manatee County, and the jobs that would be created with years of construction.

“I've waited a long time to talk to you,” said Capt. Kathe Fannon, who gives charter fishing tours in Cortez. “I take people out from all over the world. I show them the area. I show them seahorses, starfish, all kinds of crabs. I have never one time in the 14 years that I've done these charters had one request to see a mega marina.”

Cue applause and waves.

“We need to start thinking about people in addition to plankton and fish . . . the bigger picture of what this development can mean to Manatee County,” said Tidy Island resident Jim Germer. “We are talking jobs, a five-star hotel. The people who vacation or do business relocate and they bring more business to the community. Think about the positives, not the negatives.”

Cue applause, overpowered by “boos.”

After another warning from Bustle, the crowd settled down. Restrictions on applause were ignored. But no more jeers.

A few commissioners, tired of sitting, stood as the second hour of public comment began.

As the meeting went well into the night, the crowd continued to thin.

But a few persevered, waiting to see if the commission would make a decision.

<p><em>PALMETTO</em> - It was obvious who was who. </p><p>The large crowd wearing blue T-shirts, carrying inflatable dolphins and holding handmade signs reunited with new friends they have met in the fight against the Long Bar Pointe development.</p><p>At a table across the way in front of the Bradenton Area Convention Center were fewer people. They all picked up green hats and pins with a simple message, “yes.”</p><p>While those in the blue “Save Our Bay” shirts were happy to speak about the largest mixed-use development proposed in wake of the Great Recession, those with the green hats directed all questions to developers Carlos Beruff and Larry Lieberman.</p><p>By noon, people already were gathered and waiting for the doors to open. Manatee County's land-use meeting was set to begin at 1:30 p.m.</p><p>It quickly became evident that 700 chairs were not enough.</p><p>In the moments before the meeting began, more rows were set out. People who arrived too late for a seat, or offered theirs to someone else, lined the room's perimeter.</p><p>About 1,000 residents filled the auditorium to hear county staff and developers discuss the proposed project. One hundred had signed up for a chance to address the commission.</p><p>But before moving forward, Commission Chairman Larry Bustle commented on the turnout, calling it a “great indication of passion” in the community.</p><p>Immediately after, Bustle laid down the ground rules: be respectful and avoid personal attacks.</p><p>Silence enveloped the room as county staff presenting the amendment that would allow a mixed-use development were interrupted when Commissioner Robin DiSabatino began scrutinizing the application.</p><p>“Who will pay?” DiSabatino asked, should the development require related infrastructure changes.</p><p>Developers have not submitted a site plan.</p><p>DiSabatino said without more details, she could not support something so extensive.</p><p>The room erupted in applause, inflatable dolphins lifted into the air.</p><p>Bustle took a moment to ask attendees to wave silently should they support a statement.</p><p>As the county staff moved into its second hour of presenting, the crowd began to thin. Empty chairs dotted the audience.</p><p>After a brief recess, the developers called an attorney, an urban designer and several environmental experts to present their case. The crowd was still thin, but a few people trickled back in as the time for public comment approached.</p><p>A few heads shook in disagreement about what was being said. People whispered to their neighbors. The group of people with green hats, sitting behind the developers, waved several times in support.</p><p>Four hours into the meeting, Bustle announced it was time for public comment. By this time, 150 people were signed up. Individuals were given three minutes to speak. A person representing a group could speak for 10 minutes.</p><p>As a bell sounded to indicate time was up, people just kept talking. The time restraint was more of a suggestion to many — perhaps because the issue has become so emotional. </p><p>Politics were at play.</p><p>Fishermen believe their livelihoods are at stake. Young people want to show their children — when they have them — the natural beauty of Long Bar Pointe.</p><p>Other residents want to see a five-star hotel come to Manatee County, and the jobs that would be created with years of construction.</p><p>“I've waited a long time to talk to you,” said Capt. Kathe Fannon, who gives charter fishing tours in Cortez. “I take people out from all over the world. I show them the area. I show them seahorses, starfish, all kinds of crabs. I have never one time in the 14 years that I've done these charters had one request to see a mega marina.”</p><p>Cue applause and waves.</p><p>“We need to start thinking about people in addition to plankton and fish . . . the bigger picture of what this development can mean to Manatee County,” said Tidy Island resident Jim Germer. “We are talking jobs, a five-star hotel. The people who vacation or do business relocate and they bring more business to the community. Think about the positives, not the negatives.”</p><p>Cue applause, overpowered by “boos.”</p><p>After another warning from Bustle, the crowd settled down. Restrictions on applause were ignored. But no more jeers.</p><p>A few commissioners, tired of sitting, stood as the second hour of public comment began.</p><p>As the meeting went well into the night, the crowd continued to thin.</p><p>But a few persevered, waiting to see if the commission would make a decision.</p>